How To Use Herringbone Tile For Fresh, Timeless Design

You can’t scroll design feeds without seeing herringbone, but the real question is how to make it feel fresh in your space. We take you from big-picture design thinking to hands-on setup, sharing the layout tricks, grout choices, and smart budget moves that turn a zigzag into a polished feature. Along the way, we swap stories from the shop floor and walk through what goes wrong when the pattern drifts and how to fix it before you burn a weekend redoing rows.

We start with why this 90-degree pattern refuses to fade: it’s versatile, working in modern kitchens, historic homes, and everything in between. Then we dig into the practical steps that matter most—dry laying, anchoring from a center line, and choosing tile sizes that fit your room’s scale. Worried about cost or commitment? Try a focused accent behind a range, a niche, or a half-wall splash to get the look without tiling every inch. We also explore vertical herringbone to add height, oversized planks for bold graphics, and mixed materials like stone and glass to bring depth without visual clutter.

Grout and maintenance get their due, because the finish is where projects succeed. High-contrast grout can frame each chevron beautifully, but it also highlights mistakes, so we share forgiving options that still show the pattern. For floors and wet areas, we cover slip resistance, movement joints, sealing grout, and protecting natural stone to keep surfaces clean and resilient. A simple, pH-neutral routine is the quiet hero that preserves color and keeps lines crisp for years.

If you’re mapping your first herringbone or choosing between DIY and calling a pro, you’ll leave with a clear plan, design ideas that fit your budget, and care tips that protect your work. Love a subtle farmhouse vibe, a spa-like marble floor, or a metallic pop over the bar—there’s a path here for each. Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, leave a review, and tell us where you’d try herringbone next.

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Episode Transcript

Belky (00:20):
Welcome to the Belk Tile Podcast.
The Fat Road.
The Fat Time.
How to improve your home stylewith tiles to make your home
absolutely beautiful.
Welcome to the Belk TilePodcast.
Here's your host, Mike Belk.

Abby (00:43):
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Belk Tile
Podcast.
I am Abby, and of course, Mikeis with me as well.

Mike (00:49):
Good morning, Abby.
Welcome everyone.

Abby (00:52):
Today I want to discuss herringbone tile designs.

Mike (00:55):
Oh, that is a good topic.
We get a lot of questions onthat.

Abby (00:58):
Alright, we're diving right into the classic
herringbone tile pattern today.
You can probably picture italready.
Those rectangular tiles set inthat sort of zigzag, almost like
a broken fishbone.
Technically, each tile is setat a 90-degree angle, which
gives it that dynamic V-shapedlook.
It's been around forever, but Ihonestly can't scroll Pinterest

(01:19):
or Reddit these days withoutseeing a dozen posts about
herringbone, usually arguing ifit's timeless or like totally
overdone.

Mike (01:26):
Exactly, Abby.
It's funny because in thestore, folks come in with all
these mood boards they'vepinned, and herringbone is
always somewhere near the top.
And it's not just looks.
The reason it sticks around somuch is, well, it's versatile.
It fits right in whether you'redoing a supermodern kitchen or
restoring an old house.
It can be crisp andcontemporary or have that old
world charm.
Where are you seeing it mostly?

Abby (01:48):
Backsplashes for sure.
I mean it's huge for kitchenbacksplashes, but bathroom
floors and shower walls too.
I swear, it's like people haveherringbone fever.
But here's the trick.
The internet's kind of lost itsmind debating whether the
patterns played out.
And honestly, it can look tiredif you don't freshen it up.
Some quick ways to keep itfeeling modern, mix materials,
play with grout color, or govertical instead of horizontal.

(02:12):
The new crop of oversized planktiles for jumbo herringbone
layouts, that's everywhere rightnow.

Mike (02:18):
Yep, but uh you gotta think about the budget piece
too.
Herringbone takes more time toinstall, so it's pricier than
your basic subway layout.
But I've seen folks getcreative, like one of our
customers who did just a halfwall accent in herringbone
behind their stove instead oftiling the whole backsplash.
Saved a good chunk of change,but still got that classic look.
So it doesn't have to break thebank, honestly.

Abby (02:40):
Totally.
And if you love the pattern butwant a twist, maybe just try a
skinny accent stripe or a littlepop in a niche.
And yes, Mike, Pinterest andReddit still can't agree if
herringbone is done, but withall the ways to shake it up, I
think it's safe for a while.
Did we cover the basics?

Mike (02:56):
I think so.
Summed up, herringbone's apattern that's not going
anywhere, but how you approachit, that's what makes it shine.
Now, let's get into thenitty-gritty, actually laying
out that herringbone.
First, you've got to pick theright tile.
Rectangular tiles always,obviously.
And, you know, the classic 3x6or 4x12 sizes, those always hit
the sweet spot.
I see people sometimes try touse big chonky tiles.

(03:18):
Looks good if you get it right,but mistakes are less
forgiving.
You always want to dry lay afew rows first, test how it's
gonna work in the space so youdon't end up pulling your hair
out after you've set five rowsin the wrong spot.
That layout planning step,folks love to skip that and
regret it, trust me.

Abby (03:34):
Oh gosh, Reddit is packed with those help, my pattern is
wonky posts.
The biggest mistake, notstarting from a central visual
spot, like lining up with arange hood or framing a niche.
That way your cuts at the edgeslook intentional, not random.
And those grout lines, I justsaw a picture, someone forgot
the spacers and ended up withlike major gaps on one side,

(03:56):
totally throws off the flow.

Mike (03:58):
Off been there way too many times.
Actually, we had this customerambitious DIY kitchen.
They were so excited, but theyhadn't mapped out the starting
point, and by the second row thepattern had wandered off.
Brought in a pro installerafter a, let's just say, chaotic
weekend.
Pro realigned everything off acenter line, recut some edge
pieces, and uh save the day.

(04:20):
So yeah, sometimes it's betterto get a pro, especially for
herringbone, if you want thosetight lines and sharp corners.

Abby (04:26):
Totally agree.
There's a pro DIY debate forevery project, but with
herringbone, if you're a rookie,at least bring in an expert to
help you plan.
And we haven't even touchedgrout.
Hot take.
If you want to highlight thepattern, pick a contrasting
grout, but beware.
It'll also highlight anymistakes.
For most people, I tell them togo subtle, but not blend in and

(04:47):
disappear beige.
Just enough contrast to showoff the zigzag but still
forgiving.

Mike (04:52):
Exactly.
And walls versus floors, forfloors, definitely check tile
thickness and uh slipresistance.
Floors have expansion issuestoo, you need the right spacing
so you don't end up with crackedjoints a couple years in.
Bottom line, plan dry lay,consider getting a pro.
It'll save you so muchheadache.
Where was I?
Oh.
And if you're picking grout,subtle contrast rules for first

(05:14):
timers.

Abby (05:15):
Alright, so once you've got the layout down, let's talk
design ideas.
If you want that crispfarmhouse vibe, white tile with
gray grout and herringbone isalways a winner.
I just did a coastal remodelwhere we ran it up the entire
backsplash, and every time thelight hit it, you got this
beautiful play of shadow.
I kinda fell in love with it.
But you can go bold too.

(05:35):
Metallic or glass herringbonemosaics.
Very on-trend for a punch abovethe stove or bar area.

Mike (05:42):
And don't sleep on bathroom floors.
Marble herringbone brings thatluxury spa feel.
And vertical herringbone, thatthat look where you run the
herringbones up the wall insteadof side to side.
It's huge for making showersfeel taller, makes the space
feel, well, grander than itreally is.
I mean it's a trick of the eye,but it works.

Abby (06:01):
Exactly.
And if you don't want to do awhole wall, try a little pop.
An entryway with a herringboneaccent behind the fireplace,
even mud rooms.
That's where people are gettingcreative.
I love seeing those half-wallwainscotting ideas on Reddit or
folks on Korra doing verticalstripes in the laundry.
There's no rule anymore.
Herringbone doesn't have tomean a whole floor takeover.

Mike (06:24):
Right, and sometimes all you need is a small section
behind the range or sink.
Costs less, not as intimidatingif you're on the fence.
And you can mix materials too,glass and stone, classic ceramic
with a little bit of metal fora shimmer.
Those combos really elevate thelook without being too much.
If you're not ready to go allin, just test it out on a
smaller scale first.

(06:44):
Besides, that's how trendsstart, with a little experiment
that catches on.

Abby (06:49):
So don't be afraid to play around, folks.
Herringbone works in moreplaces than you think, and it
honestly adds personalityanywhere.
Even in a little border or asurprise spot.
Start small if you feelnervous, then who knows, you
might be planning your next roomin Herringbone too.

Mike (07:04):
Alright, so let's bring it home with a few practical tips
on grout and maintenance.
Choosing the right grout colorsmore than just an aesthetic
call.
In high moisture spots likekitchens or baths, durability's
massive.
You want something that's notgoing to stain or go moldy after
a year, sanded grout for widerjoints, unsanded for tight ones,
and always check themanufacturer's guide for your

(07:27):
tile type.
Also, if you're in a highsplash zone or using natural
stone, seal that grout.
It's uh one extra step thatpays off in the long run.

Abby (07:36):
And please, everybody, seal your tiles if you're using
natural stone.
I know it's an extra step, butit'll spare you from those why
is my marble stained messages ina few months.
And maintenance isn't scary.
Just regular cleaning with a pHneutral tile cleaner, nothing
harsh, and you'll keep thatherringbone pattern looking
sharp for ages.
Skip anything abrasive,especially if you went for a

(08:00):
fancy finish.
Oh, and if you're doing a bigspace, maybe make a routine.
A quick wipe down once a weekcan do wonders.
It's the difference between wowand what happened here in just
a year.

Mike (08:11):
I'd add, don't forget grout maintenance, a little
brush, and the right cleanerwill keep those lines crisp, and
if you see cracks or missingbits, fix them early, and it's
easier to patch than rip out awhole section.
If you just follow those basiccare tips, seal if needed, clean
gently, keep an eye out forissues, your herringbone's gonna
look fresh for years, Ipromise.

Abby (08:30):
So that's our herringbone deep dive.
Classic look, but the real key,take a little extra time to
plan, pick the right details,and keep up with cleaning.
Grab a few tile samples, trylaying out some ideas on your
kitchen table before you commit,and if you're stuck, reach out.
We love helping with thosedesign dilemmas.
And Mike, want to tell themwhat's up next?

Mike (08:50):
Oh yeah, next time we're talking all things subway tile,
stacked, offset, and way beyondthe basics.
So if you like today's episode,make sure to tune in.
Abby, as always, love chattingtile with you.
Thanks for hanging out, folks.

Abby (09:02):
Same here, Mike.
Thanks everybody for listening.
Catch you next time on BelkTile Talk.
Bye.

Belky (09:08):
You've been listening to the Belk Tile Podcast.
When it comes to creating abeautiful home using Tile, this
is the podcast for productdesign ideas.
And today, we hope you've gotsome useful practical
information from this guy andmultiple expensive.
But in the meantime, reach outto the website and phone number

(09:32):
is 614-543-8334.
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Make sure to leave a rating andreview.
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Till next time.